the 4 lower tower cams are still unavailable to those that pay for them. the other
i275 skyway cameras are now available in higher definition. if you have any information about displaying the lower tower cams once more or
any streaming video links, let us know anonymously or in the form below.

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05.23.19: possible jumper, femaleunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.23.19, Malisa R., facebook.com, Empty car at the top of the northbound span with 2 police cars looking over the side. Looks like another jumper.

05.24.19, Lisa, Polk, Was coming from Fort De Soto park, saw the car parked on the north side with a girl looking over the edge, police were racing to get to her in time but assuming last commentator was after the fact and the car was empty Im guessing she jumped.. its honestly traumatizing, i wish anyone who is feeling this way to please seek help. Ending your life is not the answer.

attention friends and family of Anthony Deese: we are sorry for your loss, but if you do not want to read disparaging remarks about him, stop here and leave this web page. do not come here to read things you do not want to read.

05.15.19, Lindsay, St. Pete Beach, (6:57pm, male), Called 911 to report Car pulled off to the side at the top of the bridge. Driver was in leaning into passenger seat. Several police were heading toward the person.

05.15.19, Anonymous, St. Petersburg, FL., Going over the bridge, north bound around 7:20 PM. A lot of police on bridge, looking over the sides. A dark grey SUV on
the side, on top of the bridge.

05.15.19,

05.15.19, Megan M., facebook, Abandoned car northbound on the skyway. Several cops trying to wave ships to stop from crossing under the bridge and several other state troopers looking down into the water. Several fire trucks and state troopers driving by now. Southbound is completely blocked now Tow truck is arriving on scene, police helicopter is circling the bridge. Somebody jumped. Police boat also seen.

05.15.19, Bill E., Apparent Skyway jumper. Pinellas 911 showing all usually equipment & boats sent for a jumper to grid 723s which is the center of the bridge.
HCSO trying to respond with a marine unit.

05.15.19, IONTBfb, Skyway Bridge: land, air and marine assets on scene after reports of suicide from the span of the bridge. Use caution. later: Body recoveredcomment from the article:
05.15.19, Joshua G., I looked right in his eyes he was smoking his last cig and then jumped. very sad.
05.15.19, Matthew W., He put a gun to my sisters head today and robbed her. Cant say I feel bad. Glad he spared my sister who is a mother of two.

05.15.19, IONTBfb/iontb.com, Man Commits Suicide From Skyway Bridge Following an Armed Carjacking in Pinellas Park
At approximately 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 a male subject jumped from mid-span of the Skyway Bridge.
Based on information obtained from multiple sources, the male subject has been identified as 36 year-old Anthony Deese.
Deese is being linked to an armed robbery which occurred at approximately noon today in front of the Wells Fargo Bank located at 7100 US Hwy 19 in Pinellas Park. He reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint stealing her vehicle. That womans brother posted on Facebook about being grateful that he did not take her life today.

It is suspected that Deese was also involved in an attempted carjacking Monday evening and the robbery of an 83 year-old woman outside a Seminole Publix in March.
Deese was sentenced to 5 years in prison back in 2014 on multiple charges of grand theft and burglary.
Any additional information will be posted on iontb.comcomment from the article:
05.16.19, Theresa H., I feel sympathy for his victims only. He was dangerous, and his family or friends should have turned him in. No sympathy for him at all. Glad he saved the taxpayers some money.

03.24.19, iontb.com, At about 7:30 pm on March 24, 2019, an 83 year old woman was robbed of her purse as she exited her car at the Publix, located at 7880 113 Street N. in Seminole. The suspect possibly left in an early 2000s red, Chevrolet pick-up truck. He later attempted to use her debit cards at 2 separate locations.
At the ATMs, the suspect appears to be in his 20s or 30s wearing a Salt Life long sleeve shirt and a black FSU ball cap with mirrored sunglasses.

opinion: if this guy would have carjacked pretty much anyone's family member and they had a chance to shoot him in the head instead, they likely would have done so. he was not a good guy and society will be better off without him.
if you hate these comments, then go away. this was not your average, depression based suicide. we have plenty of compassion for the suicidal that is battling personal demons. however, when their personal demons go all public in the form of criminality and violence against others, our compassion fades away quickly. his suicide was a result of him living a life of wanton criminality and he had no other way out of serving yet more time, other than jumping off the bridge. all those saying what a swell a guy he was, obviously hasn't had a chat with any number of his victims or their families.

.

05.06.19: jumper save, maleunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.06.19, Jayson, Ruskin, fl., This morning the bridge was shut down cause of a male trying to jump off the nb lanes, my wife was there when he attempted to jump and an officer grabbed him by the shirt and about 20-30 other officers tackled him. Luckily he didnt make it over, not for lack of trying. Of course this all happened
while my wife was trying to get our toddler to all childrens.

05.06.19, anon, Palmetto, (7:35am, male), Pray please another jumper this morning. High police activity on the skyway bridge just now 7:35am. Young Latino man small red car south bound. At least 16-20 are trying talk him down. Please pray for this individual and that they succeed.

05.06.19, Marge S., St. Pete, FL., Drove past a ton of police, fire, ambulances, etc trying to talk a man off the top of the bridge this morning. Shut down the southbound lanes, I was going north. Guy looked like a white dude in his 30s, red car. Anybody know if they got him down?

05.06.19, IONTBfb,
Skyway Bridge: Expect delays as emergency personnel speak with subject on the top of the span.
later:
Reports of all southbound lanes closed later:
Subject is now safely in custodycomment from the article:
05.06.19,
Kim S., Just passed the top of the Skyway about 1 minute ago. There was a man in the middle of the lanes who was surrounded by police. he quickly ran towards the edge and I saw the cops tackle him to the ground.

05.06.19, wfla.com, TRAFFIC ALERT!
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has reopened, traffic is slow-moving through the area in both directions following an incident on the bridge.
Please avoid the Skyway
("an incident")

05.06.19, bradenton.com, Sunshine Skyway Bridge reopened after police activity blocked lanes during morning rush
One side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was shut down for about an hour early Monday due to police activity, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Southbound lanes were shut down before 8 a.m. and were reopened by 8:45 a.m.
Florida 511 traffic maps showed major delays in the area in both north and southbound lanes. ("police activity")

05.06.19, fox13news.com, Police activity caused southbound closure on Sunshine Skyway Bridge
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FOX 13) - At the height of the morning rush hour, police activity closed the southbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Both directions had blockage, but the biggest impact was in the southbound lanes where traffic has completely halted. Multiple units were on hand at the hump of the bridge. The closure lasted for nearly an hour.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers reopened the southbound lanes around 8:30 a.m., and traffic slowly began flowing again. ("police activity")

05.06.19, facebook/likebn9, #TrafficAlert: SB on the Skyway Bridge was shut down this morning due to a man threatening to jump. Thankfully, first responders were able to stop the man. FHP said the bridge should reopen shortly. (after
reading all the comments on their post, perhaps it's not a good idea to explain why the traffic is so bad.
a regular parade of a-holes.)

05.06.19, Christina F., facebook plugin, this morning there was an older man at the crest of the bridge looking over the edge... hands wide on the edge... rocking back and forth. Didn't look like he was concerned about his car. Looked like he was having a bad morning. Wonder if he was family or a friend of the girl who jumped yesterday. So sad.

05.17.19, Blair, Trout Creek, Canada, This thug robbed an 83 year old woman? Too bad he didn't impale himself on the mast of a sailboat when he jumped.
(why do you hate sailboats?)

thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.05.19, N., Around 10-10:30 am today, passed an ambulance with lights flashing which suddenly went off. I was heading towards Bradenton, ambulance was on opposite side. Just beyond the apex of the bridge on opposite side were police, a car, and people looking over the bridge.

05.05.19, Gert M., St Pete., Around 10 am, northbound lane, empty silver sedan at top of bridge......people pulled over looking down and on their cell phones. Saw
EMS and fire dept heading to bridge about 3-5 mins later. Anyone know any info?

05.05.19, Anonymous, This morning while crossing the bay, the Coast Guard issued an alert to be on the look out and assist if possible for a person in the water. Long Blond Hair/Maroon Shirt in the vicinity of the Skyway Bridge. As we got closer to the center span we could see emergency vehicles at the top of the bridge. We could also see a fishing boat directly under the bridge. The emergency vehicles proceeded south down the bridge and the fishing boat came up on plane. We were behind the fishing boat heading north up the channel as fire rescue approached. The people on the fishing boat are hero's if the person made it or not. The man on the boat was giving the person CPR non stop. It is unfortunate there were children on the fishing boat.

05.05.19, Boater, Odessa, (11:00am, body found), Saw Firsthand

05.05.19, Patti, Zephyrhills, fl., (10:00am, female, hit water, died, body found), I was the boat that was fishing when she jumped. It was a very tragic day for all of us on the boat. My kids witnessed something they should have never seen. The rescue workers were great and we are glad we could assist with getting the body of the young girl out of the water. Hopefully her family and friends will find closure. May she Rest In Peace (sad
that you and your children were put through this. precisely what we have been saying about the private vs. public suicide. bring on the haters, but this was a selfish suicide. we hope you cope.)

05.05.19, IONTBfb, Skyway Bridge: Expect delays as first responders on and below the bridge after reports of a suicide attempt. Recreational boater assisting.
later: Confirmed deceasedcomment from the article:
05.05.19, Ken N., It is northbound, I drove by and saw a girl sitting on the edge of the bridge three-quarters up the ramp. Blonde-haired 20-something. I was in the left lane could not pull over in time. But, I saw a car pull over to try and help. I called 911 and prayed. It seems the worst of my fears have been confirmed. May God wrap his arms of Grace and healing around her family.

05.06.19, Anon, Bradenton, I knew the deceased. She was struggling with serious issues from brain damage. She was in a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend many years ago, they were riding together, he died and she survived but never fully recovered. She was in a lot of pain dealing with the trauma ane brain damage. I hope she finds peace.

05.06.19, Susie F., Longboat key, Florida, Jasmine had no clue that boat and family was anchored under that bridge! From her vantage that would not have even been in her siteline. Our family is devastated by this loss and saddened this family was exposed. We are grateful for aid given by the father and husband on boat. Jasmine had Traumatic Brain Injury plus too many other serious injuries to list from an accident 3+ years earlier where she was a passenger and the driver died. We thought she was going to die then. She never recovered and was continually in tremendous emotional, mental and physical pain. She was not well. She was very sick and I would think one would know when one kills themselves jumping from a bridge she was NOT thinking rationally! This was not an executed well planned event. It was an impulse act in a moment of temporary insanity that has permanent consequences. I am exhausted and I can only pray others are more compassionate if any ones loved ones out there are hurting and in despair. Jasmine didnt get a gun and take out innocent bystanders in a grand finale, she just wanted to die in that moment in Im sure what she considered her own private end.

05.07.19, Patti, Zephyrhills, fl., This has been a terrible thing. My son is not handling it well at all. He is 15 and saw her hit the water and then watched our friend give her CPR but she was already passed. He is going to a therapist on Thursday. What an awful way to die. It's an image I won't soon forget. We may need signs around the bottom of the bridge in the water warning boaters of possible jumpers. I know that sounds cold but never in my wildest dreams would have imagined this could happen. (what you and yours went through that day is exactly why we say skyway suicides can be selfish. it's ok if someone wants to end their life, fine, have at it. however, dragging innocent people into your end of life performance and leaving them with a lifelong traumatic experience is selfish. i wish you and your son well. 15 is not an easy age to navigate the way it is, much less having to cope with something like this. luckily, she missed the boat entirely and no one else was injured. your idea of signs below the bridge is a very good one. boaters need to be aware. we're surprised no one has slammed into a boat yet, but there have been close calls.)

facebook article posts such as:
05.06.19, John P., I saw her get out of the car and run around as I was coming up on her car with the hazards on. I saw her run around the car and climb over the concrete side wall. It happened so quick. I thought about this kid for the whole day hoping they didnt jump. Sad day to hear she took her own life.

05.06.19, Michael D., My wife drove by at the time she was ready to jump and stopped to help but it was too late. She looked her right in the eye and still can't get that picture out of her head. Horrifying.

05.06.19, Patti D., My family and my friends were the boat that was almost hit by this jumper. She not only took her life but traumatized the 7 of us including our 3 children. None of us slept last night because this unknown stranger decided to end her life. It saddens me that she was at her all time low but the people she leaves behind are left to deal with the pain. This is an image I wont soon forget, nor will my husband and his friend who pulled her lifeless body from the water but tried CPR just in case. I can tell you, this is no way to die. I hope the family is able to find closure.

05.07.19, Marti D., I drove by right at around 10 A.M. I did not see her get out of the car and I did not see her actually jump...I must have driven by right in the middle of those two things... but when I drove by, she was sitting on the edge. I was unable to stop because there was traffic congestion and people tailgating like crazy. I was looking in my rearview mirror to see what was going on but she was out of my view fairly quickly. I could not get this young lady out of my head all day on Sunday and am so heartbroken that she went through with it. Thinking of her family.

05.08.19, Patti D., The flood of emotions from this event has been overwhelming. My friends and I are worried about our boys who had to witness this. We are taking them to counseling tomorrow. I am so angry right now I cant see straight. I keep thinking I will wake up from this nightmare and I cant because it is now my life. Lord knows I did not ask for this as neither did my friends and their kids.

.

05.04.19: possible jumper mysteryunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporters:
05.04.19, Santa C., Tampa, Someone needs to check the bottom of the bridge. I thought I saw a teenage girl up there last night

05.05.19, anon, Largo, fl., My daughter supposably jumped off the bridge on 5/4/19 early a.m. under investigation anybody with an facebook: Sabrina S.[withheld], 20y old pinellas. The families in disbelief in a white Ford focus approximately 5 ft 2 about 115 lb and shoulder length dark hair if anybody seen anything possibly please contact us with any information sat early a.m. possibly between 2 and 4 a.m.??? later: On 5/4/19 between 1:30a.m.-3a.m. there was a guy with her in a white Ford focus maybe foul play

05.05.19, Apryl E., IONTBfb, Sadly, my husband and his nephew just recovered a body from near the Skyway yesterday morning during the KOTB fishing tournament. No news about it anywhere! We still don't know if she had jumped, who she was, nothing. My heart is breaking for the family of this unknown woman. (we have no idea if this body was a result of a skyway suicide.)

thank you, jumpnews reporter:
04.20.19, John D., St Pete., (04.17.19), message: Dennis Lane jumped late Wednesday 4/17/19. His body was found Thursday.
He suffered from depression for decades. After the passing of his mother and recently his father, his depression deepened.
Dennis leaves behind two adult children, one grandchild, three sisters, and several loving friends and family.

facebook article posts, such as:
04.24.19, Laura S., his name was Dennis. A father of 2 & a grandfather of 1. Had 3 sisters, one including my mother. He suffered with depression for most of his life yet he had a smile that could light up a room and a sense of humor that always filled everyone with laughter.

04.25.19, Robyn A., Laura, thank you for sharing part of his story. I lost a loved one to suicide three years ago. She was so much more than a mere statistic. Like your uncle, she was loved by many and touched many lives. Its often those who burn twice as bright, burn half as long. Rest In Peace, Dennis.

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04.14.19: possible jumper(s), time unknownunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporter:
04.14.19, cee, Skyway, I just crossing the Skyway heading south. A small blue sedan was parked on top. Just as I was passing, 2 people, Male and female, exits the
vehicle and walked to the edge. I called 911 immediately who transferred me to highway patrol. Praying it was just sightseers!

04.01.19, Zachary H., facebook.com, Went into cardiac arrest and had abdominal problems.

04.02.19, Eric O., fbplugin, We saw the guy jump. Time was between 211pm and 214pm. We were in a boat on the west side of the bridge, taking pictures of the bridge when I noticed a car stopped on the bridge. A person walked in front of their car, climbed over, and just walked off the edge. No hesitation. We called 911 and went to the area. A boat on the east side of the bridge found the guy.

04.01.19, IONTBfb,
Skyway Bridge: Reports of a subject just pulled from the water after jumping from the bridge. Expect emergency vehicles in the area.
later: Recreational boater picked and brought to first responders at marina. Very grave condition and enroute to the hospital.comment from the article:
04.02.19, Kyle P., I was on the boat that pulled the subject out of the water and another person on the boat administered CPR he was breathing when we got him to paramedics, I hope he is ok.

facebook article posts, such as:
04.02.19,
Concetta R., Sadly, I saw the van parked there (while driving by) as the police approached...looking over the edge...glad they survived.

.

03.30.19: possible jumper, 8:45pmunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporter:
03.30.19, Doug H.,
facebook.com, Police at top of bridge looking down to water. About 8:45pm tons of police passes us on our way to top of bridge.

02.16.19, Bill E., Person just jumped off of the Skyway. All usual 'jumper' response units enroute. Nothing further dispatched.
later: Body recovered by fisherman & brought to a marina. Now detectives are involved. FWC Now has the body.

04.07.19, Mike T., facebook.com, ···Unfortunately I was driving back from Bradenton to Tampa a few weeks ago and spotted a van stop on top and a man jumped out of it it and leaped - this took an
entire 3 seconds- I did not know the guy - he was the first suicide this year from the bridge per Skyway Bridge - it still makes me sick to my stomach···

02.16.19, IONTBfb, Skyway Bridge: First responders enroute to the bridge after multiple reports received of a person who jumped from southbound mid span lanes. Expect delays.
comment:
 Scott H., Just drove by. White work van parked. Police behind it

facebook article posts, such as:
02.16.19, Barbara H., Yep...around that time I heard the familiar siren from first responders headed that way - it's a different sound and I get a sinking feeling when I hear it. It's such a beautiful day today too. RIP whoever you are. Praying for their loved-ones.

thank you, jumpnews reporters:
01.13.19, LRallu, St. Petersburg, Florida, Possible jumper, I drove over the Skyway Bridge just now about 15 minutes ago heading northbound saw that a vehicle was parked less than a quarter away from the middle of the bridge was fishing with boyfriend earlier noticed a bunch of boat activity under the bridge from the local PD's and FWC can anyone confirm

01.13.19, Sue, Tampa, FL., (1:00pm, male), Emergency teams were responding as the man had one leg draped over the southbound side as I passed by on the northbound side. Unsure of outcome.

01.13.19, Kimberly B., fbplugin, 1/13/19 current jumper on southbound side

01.13.19,
IONTBfb, Appears troopers saved a suicidal man from the top of the Skyway. Backup reported in both directions.

01.13.19, wfla.com/facebook, Trooper saves man from jumping off Sunshine Skyway Bridge,
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - A trooper prevented a suicidal man from jumping off of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
At about 1 p.m., the agency got a call about a "suspicious person" standing on the wall of the bridge on the northbound lanes of the roadway.
FHP trooper Tabarie Sullivan arrived at the scene and saw the man on a concrete barrier.
"He had no shirt on and he was drinking a Dr. Pepper," Sullivan told WFLA.
The man had one leg dangling off of the bridge and his other foot planted on the roadway.
Sullivan approached the man and began talking him down from the wall.
"I told him, 'Sir, please don't do it. Don't do it today, you have more to live for.' He explained to me, 'No, actually, I don't'," the officer recalled.
The man told Sullivan that he had recently accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and "was completely okay," with ending his life.
"He had recently got an injunction with his wife and kids, so he was not able to see him and he would be completely okay with jumping off the Skyway Bridge to commit suicide," Sullivan remembered the man saying.
Sullivan said he offered a listening ear and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
"We just talked a little bit about life. I'm also married, I have a kid as well, so we discussed that. We laughed and joked," the trooper said.
After a few minutes, the officer noticed the man had his other leg back over the barrier.
"I knew that was my chance then, so at that point, I just jumped on him, and I pinned him down and I waited," Sullivan said.
Captain Richard Benton, an off-duty trooper happened to be passing by on the bridge and stopped to help Sullivan get the man off of the wall.
"Both were able to successfully detain the subject without incident," Sergeant Steve Gaskins said in an e-mail to WFLA.
Gaskins did not provide any further information regarding the man's condition.
"The entire time I'm thinking, I cannot let this man jump off this bridge. He needs to understand there is more to live for and this too will [sic] pass," Sullivan said.

01.13.19, Jessica S., facebook, We was on the bridge when the jumper attempted to jump! Hopefully the man can get the help he needs. I was videoing thinking it was a crash.. the man was smiling at the guy who saved him it was so sad! it's great that trooper Sullivan was able to get to the man and prevent yet another jumper. it's also good to see the
media report the incident. many news venues picked up the story and reported the win. sadly, they do not report the ones that got away. it's akin to going overboard in reporting the win of a local sports team with the 1-12 record. the big picture is hidden behind the silence of the losses, hiding them as if they never happened. in our opinion, reporting the losses would perhaps get more done to stop them. again, thank you trooper Sullivan, good job, be well, and stay safe.

01.13.19, tampabay.com,
A record number of suicides last year prompts the state to wisely review security options on the bridge.
The grim statistics speak for themselves: Eighteen people jumped to their deaths from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge last year, a record number that surpassed the previous high of 13 set in 2003 and again in 2017. The rise coincides with a steady increase in the suicide rate across the United States and Florida, and the Florida Department of Transportation deserves credit for revisiting how to deter suicide attempts from the iconic bridge.
The state is acting responsibly by looking to better secure public assets under its control. As the Tampa Bay Times' Tony Marrero reported, DOT had for years rejected calls to install netting or fencing to discourage jumping from the bridge. But this month, a department spokeswoman said officials are studying vertical barriers that could be installed along the bridge walls to deter suicide attempts. In addition, the department is about to install new technology that will detect pedestrians and stopped cars in an effort to alert authorities more quickly to a potential jumper.
The Skyway, which connects Pinellas and Manatee counties, has attracted people intent on taking their lives since the 1960s, (since 11.11.57) when earlier versions of the bridge spanned Tampa Bay. But records show suicides began to accelerate when the current bridge, with its cables forming twin triangles visible for miles, opened in 1987. At its highest point, the bridge deck reaches nearly 200 feet. Since the current bridge opened, 236 people, or an average of about eight people each year, have killed themselves by jumping, Florida Highway Patrol records show, making it one of the deadliest bridges in the country. Overall activity on the bridge  suicides, saves and reports of possible jumpers  has generally trended upward, especially in the last decade.
The DOT has fielded calls for nets or fencing on the Skyway for decades. One department study conducted about 20 years ago cited a number of concerns, suggesting that netting could fling jumpers back onto bridge traffic, impede the use of bridge maintenance equipment and ensnare trash and wildlife. Vertical barriers such as a fence are another option. As recently as last month, the department said it had not found a fencing system that would accommodate the truckmounted arms that extend under the Skyway to inspect the bridge. But in a new email, spokeswoman Kris Carson said the department is concerned about suicides and is researching new barrier technology.
This is a welcome decision - and one that could save lives. The review could take a year, and in the interim, the department will install devices to detect pedestrians and stopped vehicles, which could speed the response times by authorities to the bridge. Some protective measures are in place already; in 1999, the state installed call boxes that instantly connect with a local crisis center hotline. A state trooper patrols the bridge 24/7, further speeding response times. Officials credit both measures with having saved lives.
Fencing and other technologies may be a precaution of last resort, but they could create those few critical moments that mean the difference between life and death. The DOT deserves credit for addressing a terrible reality on the bridge and a trend line that cries out for the broadest response possible.
(#calltoaction)

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01.07.19: possible jumperunknown

thank you, jumpnews reporter:01.07.19, anon, St. Pete, regarding: Car stopped near top, northbound lanes. I was heading south so I couldn't see much. No idea what's going on.
Praying it's just a broken down car.

01.04.19, tampabay.com, by Tony Marrero,
The Department of Transportation also plans to install new technology to detect people who may be intent on jumping. The toll for 2018 - 18 dead.
The text from Rob Rivard's stepson came at 5:23 one Sunday morning in November.
A 20-year-old student at Pasco-Hernando State College, Chris Machesney was excited about launching a modeling career. Rivard and his wife hadn't seen signs that Machesney was unhappy, but when Rivard read the text that morning, he knew it was meant to be a final goodbye.
Rivard frantically called his stepson's cell phone but never got an answer. He would learn later that a police officer had been alerted to a car parked at the top of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and pulled up to Machesney's Toyota Camry at 5:34 a.m.
By then, the young man was already gone. Within eight minutes of him texting me, he jumped, Rivard said.
Machesney was one of 18 people to die by suicide from the Skyway last year, a record number that surpassed the previous high mark of 13 set in 2003 and tied in 2017, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 19th person who jumped last year survived the fall.
For years, the Florida Department of Transportation has rejected calls to install netting or fencing to deter jumpers from the iconic bridge. But this week, a department spokeswoman said officials are studying vertical barriers that could be installed along the bridge walls to deter suicide attempts.
In addition, the department is about to install new technology that will detect pedestrians and stopped cars to more quickly alert authorities to a potential jumper.
That's encouraging news for Rivard, who has been lobbying the state to take measures that might have saved his stepson.
At that moment in their lives, they've made a decision, Rivard said. You've got to make it hard for them so first responders can get there.
  
The Skyway has attracted people set on taking their own lives since the 1960s, when previous versions of the bridge spanned Tampa Bay. Records show suicide there began to accelerate when the current bridge, with its cables forming twin triangles visible for miles, opened in 1987.
At its highest point, the bridge deck soars to nearly 200 feet.
Since the current bridge opened, 236 people, or an average of about eight people each year, have killed themselves by jumping from the Skyway, Highway Patrol records show, making it one of the deadliest bridges in the country.
Overall activity on the bridge  the number of suicides, saves and reports of possible jumpers  has generally trended upward, especially in the last decade. In 2018, at least nine people who appeared to be ready to jump were stopped before they could, records show.
At the nation's deadliest bridge for suicides, San Francisco's Golden Gate, workers began installing a stainless steel net last summer. The Florida Department of Transportation has fielded calls for similar nets or fencing on the Skyway for decades.
In a Transportation Department study conducted about 20 years ago, a number of concerns were raised about netting  that it might fling jumpers back onto the bridge and into traffic, ensnare trash and wildlife, impede equipment used to inspect the bridge, and mar the bridge's iconic appearance.
Another option is some kind of vertical barrier, such as a fence. As recently as last month, the Transportation Department said it had not found a fencing system that would accommodate the truck-mounted extended arms used to reach under the bridge for a complete inspection.
But the department is very concerned about suicides from the bridge and is in the process of researching new barrier technology, spokeswoman Kris Carson said in an email this week.
The department is re-examining all options to see if any technological advances have occurred including the feasibility of a vertical barrier to be placed on the outside wall, Carson said.
The research involves structural analysis, an environmental study and coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office. The office must grant its approval to ensure any additional structures are compatible with the bridge's iconic design. The process could take more than a year, Carson said.
(this!)
Meantime, the department will soon put in place pedestrian and stopped vehicle detectors, she said, that should reduce response time by authorities when motorists park on the bridge.
Carson did not have additional details Friday.
After his stepson's death, Rivard contacted the Transportation Department about installing fencing or netting. He then called the office of Gov. Rick Scott and a representative got back to him the next day, saying Scott got his message.
Rivard was soon on a conference call with transportation officials who told him that they were looking into a vertical barrier and that new infrared cameras, monitored around the clock to detect possible jumpers, should be up by this summer.
I hope they do what they say they're going to do, said Rivard, who lives in New Tampa with wife Martiza Machesney, Chris' mother. I'm not going away. I'll be patient now, but I'm not going to be lip-serviced. I just want something done.
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Some measures in place on the Skyway have saved lives already.
In 1999, the state installed six crisis hotline call boxes that connect with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay as soon as someone picks one up. A special ring tone in the call center alerts operators that a call is coming from the bridge, said Liza Cruz Cepeda, manager of gateway services at the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
The center received a small number of calls last year, but in at least one, an operator was able to prevent the caller from jumping, she said.
A state trooper also patrols the bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a quick response to potential suicide attempts, and troopers have been able to stop people from killing themselves, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. But Gaskins noted it can take several minutes to respond even if a call comes as soon as someone stops on the bridge.
If someone really wants to do this, it takes two seconds to stop and jump, he said. That point was reinforced by the case of a 43-year-old Safety Harbor housekeeper who drove to Skyway Bridge one night last month.
The woman had considered suicide before and had made statements that night that concerned her father, according to a Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's report. The father followed his daughter to the center span of the Skyway, where she got out of her car and jumped, the report says, apparently before the father had time to try to stop her.
He called 911 and her body was found in the water below.
The rise in suicides from the Skyway corresponds with a steady increase in the suicide rate across the United States and Florida.
According to a report released last summer by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate rose by 30 percent between 1999 and 2016, with increases seen across age, gender, race and ethnicity. Florida saw an increase of nearly 11 percent during that period.
The study noted that problems most frequently associated with suicide are life stressors involving work, finances, strained relationships, substance abuse and health issues. Mental health professionals and sociologists have cited the Great Recession, with its widespread layoffs and home foreclosures, as a factor in the increase.
The Tampa Bay Times obtained medical examiner reports for 15 of the 18 people who are confirmed to have died by suicide at the Skway in 2018. They ranged in age from 18 to 67. Thirteen were men. At least half had a history of mental illness, depression, or both, the records show. Nearly all lived in or near the Tampa Bay area.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recommends installing barriers on tall bridges and buildings to discourage jumpers, said Dr. Andreas Pumariega, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Florida's College of Medicine, who has studied suicide.
News that the Transportation Department is installing technology beyond the callboxes is encouraging, Pumariega said.
You can't rely on the person changing their mind or making a call, he said. You should be looking to catch them in the act in some manner.
For Rivard, working to see this happen serves as a kind of therapy in the wake of his son's death.
This is something you never heal from, you just have to find a way to cope, he said. My coping is addressing the problem to start saving other people's lives.
If you're considering suicide or suspect someone you know might be, help is available by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.
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remember, you are responsible for your own well being. love who you are and who you can be. always maintain an effort to improve upon yourself and allow no one to affect that. rid yourself of those that hold you back, no matter who they are. be they stranger, friend, or even family, lose the destructive forces tearing you down. end your addictions, be they drugs, love, social media, and/or whatever consumes you to a negative degree. better yourself. become stronger in body and mind. by all means, talk to people that can help you.

do keep an eye on your friends and family members that may be despondent and depressed. check in on those that need checking in on. a few kind words and a helping hand may be all it takes to send them down a better path. be well.

according to all that we know from years of accumulating skyway jumper data, 2018 was the worst year for skyway jumping in the history of the bridge, right after the 2017 record year. december 2018 was the worst month ever.

sure, people talk about doing something about it, but year after year, more nothing gets done. let's hope 2019 is a better year for all concerned, and not yet another record breaker.